Skipping device



April 18, 1961 R. D. PARKHURST 2,980,423

SKIPPING DEVICE Filed Feb. 23, 1960 Ki @Z United States This invention relates to a skipping device for the amusement and entertainment of children.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of a mechanically rotatable device having a laterally projecting element thereon over which the child may skip or jump as the device is rotated.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character having relatively high entertainment and amusement value for children of various ages.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein the transverse element is adjustable so that it may be regulated to project from either one or two diametrically opposed portions of the device so as to vary the speed with which it is juxtaposed to the child.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein the height of the transverse eleatcn ment may be varied in accordance with the age or skill of the user.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device which, while having a relatively high entertainment value, also serves a useful function in coordinating hand and foot motion of the child.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, the arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of device constructed in accordance with the instant invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, parts thereof being broken away.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the structure as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, there is generally indicated at 10 a skipping device in accord ance with the instant invention which comprises a tubular outer member 11, of any desired height, although preferably an overall length of two and a half to three and a half feet has been found to be desirable.

The tube 11 is provided with diametrically opposed lower openings 12, as well as corresponding intermediate openings 13 and upper openings 14. A transversely extending bar or rod 15 is adapted to be passed through a selected pair of openings, in the illustrative embodiment shown, through the lower openings 12, and secured in position by means of resilient collars or washers 16, which fit snugly about the' periphery of bar 15, and engage against the sides of tube 11. The washers are removable, and upon removal of one or both of the washers, it being pointed out that there is one positioned on each side of the tube 11, the transverse bar 15 may be selectively positioned in either aligned openings 13 or 14 as desired. Alternatively, although in the illustrative embodiment shown the bar 15 is shown as projecting equally on both sides of tube 11, it will be understood that the same may; be so positioned as to project a greater distance on one side, so that in use of the device, as will be explained hereinafter, the rod 15 will pass the body of the user only once during the complete revolution of the tube instead of twice.

The lower end of the tube 11 is provided with a plug 17, which has a rounded point 18, and a cylindrical body portion 19 which is secured in the lower end of tube 11 as by means of tacks or brads 20.

The top of tube 11 is closed by means of a disc 21, secured in position by tacks or the like 22 and having a central circular aperture or opening 23 therethrough. A second disc 24 is positioned interiorly of the tube 11 and held in position by tacks or brads 25. The second disc is also provided with a central opening 26, and has on its upper surface a plurality of projections of detents 27. Disc 24 is spaced a substantial distance below the disc 23, the distance exceeding the overall length of a frustoconical member 30, which is positioned between the discs 21 and 24. Frusto-conical member 30 is provided interiorly with a twisted slot '31, through which extends a twisted operating member 33, which projects a substantial distance below the disc 24, and extends through openings 23 and 26. The underside of frusto-conical member 30 is provided with a series of recesses 32, which conform generally in configuration to the detents 27.

The upper end of rod 33 exteriorly of tube 11 and above disc 21 is provide-d with a handle member 35 of any desired conventional configuration, although in the illustrative embodiment shown an inverted frusto-conical shape is employed. The lower end of the'rod extends through the opening 26 in disc 24 at a substantial distance therebelow, and complete withdrawal of the device may be prevented by means of a transverse pin 36 extended through a suitable opening in the lower end of twisted rod or wire member 33. v a

In the use and operation of the device the tube11 is held vertically in a position adjacent the childs feet. A handle member 35 is then pulled upwardly until the stop 36 engages the underside of the disc 24, at which time the upper extremity of frusto-conical member 30 is in engagement with the underside of disc 21. Downward pressure on handle 35 then causes the twisted rod 33 to move downwardly so that the underside of frusto-conical member 30 engages the upper side of disc 24, and the detents 32 are engaged by the projections 27. Further movement of the twisted wire 33 through the twisted slot 31 in member 30 will occasion rotation of the same, obviousl'y, which rotation will in turn be imparted to the sleeve 11 through detents 32 and projections 27. The rotation of the sleeve will, of course, be imparted to the transverse resilient bar or rod member 15, which will thus pass relatively rapidly by the feet of the child, at which time the child will be expected to skip or jump over the same.

It will be readily apparent that the device might be operated merely by turning the tube 11 by hand but this would not nearly approach the same degree of efficiency.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided a device which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, including many advantages of Patented Apr. 18, 1961 great practical utility and s v 2,9'so,42s

value. 7

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made of the embodiment hereinbefore shown; and described,- it" is'to; be understood that all matter'hereiri-isto be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense;

I claim: I l. A skipping apparatus forchildrncomprising avertical tube, a transverse bar extending from a lower pertion of'said tube over which a child is adapted' to skip,

and'hand op'eratedmeans for rotating said tube, saidh and operated means including ahandle, a twisted rod secured to said handle and extending'into said tube; a member relatively fixed in said tube" having a twistedislot therein through which said twisted rod extends, whereby vertical movement of said rod imparts rotative movement to tube and clutch means for disengaging said relatively relatively high entertainment 3. The structure of claim '1 wherein said tube is provided with a plurality'of pairs of alignedopenings therein through which said bar may be selectively passed.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein resilient washers aretpositioned on said bar for securing the same in a selected position of adjustment relative 'to'said tub'e.

References Cited in thefile of this patent .UNITED STATES PATENTS 956,838 Treanor May 3, 1910 1,480,833 Neilon Jan. 15,1924

2,655,376 Hu11 V Oct. 131953 

